double down
4 synonyms and 3 antonyms for double down, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Phrasal verb — To commit even more firmly to a position, strategy or claim, especially after it has been criticised or has started to go wrong.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use double down
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
double down on
doubled down on his claim
double down on investment
Neutral and very common in journalism and business writing. It often carries a hint of stubbornness, so it is rarely a compliment when used about a person defending a mistake.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the phrase double down come from?
It comes from blackjack, where a player may double the bet after seeing the first two cards and accept just one more card. The gambling move gave English a ready image for raising your commitment when the stakes are already on the table.
What is the difference between doubling down and being persistent?
Persistence is neutral praise for continuing towards a goal. Doubling down usually suggests you have been challenged and responded by committing harder rather than reassessing, so it often implies stubbornness.
Is double down one word or two?
Two words as a verb: they doubled down on the plan. When used before a noun as a modifier, it is normally hyphenated, as in a double-down strategy.
